When and what do you wear with a slip dress has changed in the history of the slip. For instance, in the fashion of the 1920s, they came in the form of the flapper dress for going out. In the 1970s, Grandma’s cotton half-slips in eyelet fabric with matching lace were a Must-Have among teenagers who wore the Attic Style. I was one of them. In the 1990s, the bias-cut slip dresses had a mainstream boom. I owned several of them because of their simplicity, and instant chic like a sheath. However, every fashionista knows that when an item is another time around it is not styled the same way as before. Read how to wear the slip dress trend this time around to look modern, hip, and stunning.
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Slip Dresses Are Hot this Summer for Day and Night
Slip dresses are a big trend right now with greater options of cuts and fabrics than before. To illustrate what to wear with a slip dress in the 2020s, I feature two inexpensive slip dresses from Femme Luxe; a red one for everyday wear, and a burgundy one for dance/date night.
Yes, these garments are now even ok at the office on Casual Friday in a casual work environment. Just wear a T-shirt underneath, a cardigan on top plus dress shoes. Alternatively, try a lightweight sweater over the dress to wear it as a skirt.
Yes, sequin and liquid fabric versions exist as attire for festive events.
What to Wear with a Slip Dress
Try layering them over other pieces to create a posh, casual work outfit. In doing so linen or sateen bias-cut versions are best because linen is considered a summer office-appropriate fabric, and sateen is a cotton satin weave that flows better than plain-weave cotton. Furthermore, sateen is more elegant and feminine than plain weave.
Alternatively, when the piece has a modest cleavage style it with a cardigan. However, due to the free shoulders keep the cardigan on all time at work.
When styling your slip dress for the office add closed pumps to avoid to look too sexy for a work place.
Prints, stripes and plaid patterns look great with a biker or bomber leather jacket and combat boots. These combinations are also great looks for outdoor concerts. The Bohemian style woman pairs these versions with a wool or alpaca long jacket.
Cuts in Empire-style or chemise style work well when your personal style is Romantic Style. When you love Coastal Grandma Style try a chemise version for its upper arm-coverage. Add a straw tote and straw hat and flip-flops for the beach, clunky sneakers, a linen tote and a bucket hat for running errands.
When your personal style is casual or gamine style add a denim jacket and old school sneakers. The gamine woman picks a small flower print fabric. In the American South-West pairing a plaid slip dress with a suede jackets and cowboy boots is a Do when attending a rodeo, open air concert or visiting a Western bar.
Which Materials Are Best for Slip Dresses?
Polyester well retains its shape, is very durable, anti-pilling, and wrinkle-resistant. A 95% polyester 5% spandex blend permits some stretch. Consequently, the wearing comfort regarding you dynamic activities increased compared to the cotton pieces of the 1990s. Because hydrophilic polyester is moisture-wicking, it’s a favorite material for sportswear. However, on bare skin polyester fabric may be sticky when you sweat.
Cotton and Tencel take up moisture. However, once cotton is wet, its insulation is very bad.
Linen and cotton trend to wrinkle. A 45% cotton 55% polyester blend, for instance, is breathable and moisture wicking. This type of material also feels incredibly soft and cool upon first touch. Jersey cotton/polyester or bamboo/polyester blends with 50% or more polyester resist wrinkling. Consequently, they are great for traveling.
Which Body Shapes Can Wear Slip Dresses?
The bias-cut version works well on a banana-shape body with small breasts. Women with small breasts, but with wide hips (peach-shape) or no waist (apple-shape), or triangle shape can benefit from the cuts in Empire-style. The ruches over the breast give the illusion of a fuller breast, while the straight down full skirt hides the hips or non-existing waist.
Styles with sewn-in bras are the best choice for women who are top-heavy. Versions with slit(s) are perfect to show off great legs.
What to Wear with a Slip Dress in a Nutshell
Slip dresses can be paired with T-shirts, sweaters, and cardigans from your wardrobe, and styled up with fancy accessories for date night, or paired with more expensive cardigans in neutral colors and dress shoes for everyday. Sequin and liquid fabric versions are suitable for cocktail parties and festive occasions like afternoon weddings with fancy footwear and a clutch.
Photos: G. Kramm
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